King Haggas had always been very fond of the people in the neighbouring kingdom but never their queen. Especially after the death of their king and his daughter.
He had organized for their escape and for their accomodation and when he heard that the cousin of the princess was in support of the people's cause, he was happy to help.
Everyone is so happy to see that Bartley and Elsa made it too. They had always been the darlings of the people.
As they hug and kiss each other King Haggas and his family come out to welcome them.
"I know you are weary and uncertain of your future. But don't worry nobody knows you are here. Not even that old hag." He says and laughs heartily.
Everyone laughs with him as he shows Lady Afric to her new quarters. They had been long time friends and who wouldn't want the best medicine woman in their land?
Elsa tags at Bartley's shirt and he looks at her. "What is it sweet pea?"
"Pa, the pages are...missing." she says.
Bartley then takes the journal to see whether what Elsa is saying is true. He then flips to the back and sees some writings 'When the time comes, you will be the one to tell her.'
He laughs nervously before sitting down to talk to his daughter.
"Come, let yah old man tell yah a story." He says.
She puts down her sack and crosses her legs to sit down next to him and listen.
"When ma and I were a little younger, the queen had a plot against the king and all the people he was kind to. At that time, she had found us out and was ready to kill the both of us but we got away...." he says.
"But wasn't ma her daughter?" Asks Elsa.
"Aye. She was. The queen managed to slaughter more than half of the people while the rest escaped. Unfortunate for the king he died...."
"Oh no, that's so bad pa." She says.
"Hush sweet pea. Yah keep interrupting. Anyway, we managed to get her through yah labour and that was when they found us. Yah know the rest." He finishes.
He did not tell her the one secret that would endanger their lives. No. To protect them both he had to keep it a secret.
"So that's what was in the missing pages?" She asks.
"Yes sweet pea. Now go ahead, I bet diablo wants a bath eh sweet pea?" He says ruffling her hair and tickling her.
She goes off to play with her friends as he watches his only daughter, the only living breathing memory of his love showing such joy and pride in her new home. He was lucky that she was quick to adapt and now at the tender age of fifteen, he knew some lads would come knocking.
"It's not always that bad." Says king Haggas.
"What?" Asks Bartley absent mindedly.
"You have a fine young lass there old man. They grow up so fast eh?" Says the king as he pats Bartley on the back and goes away.
He thinks about it and goes off to set up their new home.
YOU ARE READING
Destined Hope
Исторические романы"Go! They will surely have our heads if they know of this!" She says handing the baby to him. The guards are catching on and there is no time left. With one last look, she says, "Promise me you will never let her out of your sight." "But..." he sta...
